Oregon, Washington lawmakers weigh in on Biden’s presidential campaign following CNN debate
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Following the first debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump in the 2024 election cycle, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers are calling on Biden to drop out of the race because of his poor debate performance — including some Oregon and Washington lawmakers.
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Despite calls for him to exit the race, President Biden sent a letter to House and Senate Democrats doubling down on his re-election bid, saying, “I am running.”
KOIN 6 News reached out to Oregon Democrats serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for their opinion if Biden should stay in the race.
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Among a group of House representatives calling on the president to step down from the race is Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03).
Rep. Blumenauer released a statement on July 10 calling on the president to drop out of the race – becoming the ninth House representative to voice the opinion.
After highlighting the president’s first-term accomplishments navigating foreign affairs, the climate crisis, and post-pandemic recovery, Blumenauer ultimately called for a change in leadership.
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“While this is a decision for the president and the first lady, I hope they will come to the conclusion that I and others have: President Biden should not be the Democratic presidential nominee,” Blumenauer said in part. “It is a painful and difficult conclusion but there is no question in my mind that we will all be better served if the president steps aside as the Democratic nominee and manages a transition under his terms. He has earned that right.”
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) also gave a strongly-worded statement of concern questioning Biden’s ability to lead, though she stopped short of outright calling for him to step aside.
“I’ve spent the past two weeks listening to my constituents express their concerns about the President’s age and health. Like most people I represent in Southwest Washington, I doubt the President’s judgement about his health, his fitness to do the job, and whether he is the one making important decisions about our country, rather than unelected advisors,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job. The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end. The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first.”
Other members of the Oregon delegation are taking a middle-of-the-road approach.
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Among this group is House Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), who said in a statement, “Defeating Donald Trump remains my top priority. I am currently speaking with constituents and colleagues to identify the best path forward so we can stop the dangerous Project 2025 agenda and keep building on the many successes of the Biden Administration.”
Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) said “I think President Biden should do what is best for the American people. The reality is that we cannot afford another four years of chaos and tyranny under Donald Trump—and we have to stand united in our efforts to defeat him and protect our democracy. In the meantime, I’m staying focused on winning reelection so I can continue delivering for the people of the Sixth District.”
On the Senate side, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley both said they support Biden as the Democratic nominee.
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“I’m proud of the results that Democrats and I have delivered with President Biden the last four years here in Oregon and nationwide. Voters in our state and America fired Donald Trump with cause in 2020 and they’re not going to rehire him in 2024,” Wyden said in a statement.
“It is President’s [sic] Biden decision whether he will remain in the 2024 race. He has said that he will. As long as he’s the nominee, I will do everything I can to help him win,” Merkley said. “This election is between democracy and autocracy. Trump’s signature achievements were increasing hate and division, pandering to Putin, and draining our treasury to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Biden has restored American leadership, championed women’s reproductive rights, and secured significant legislation for jobs, infrastructure, and renewable energy. The choice is clear.”
Discussions about whether President Biden should stay in the race come amid the fast-approaching Democratic National Convention in Chicago Aug. 19-22.
KOIN 6 News has not heard back from Rep. Val Hoyle (OR-04). This story will be updated if we receive a response.
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